'Ultimate gifts' show how other half lives

Some probably covet wealth so as to embrace the opulent lifestyle riches can bring. Others may have no desire for lavish living and believe the rich have too much money while many others have too little. It should be noted that a large portion of the charitable giving in America comes from wealthy donors.

While the opulent lifestyle of the wealthy is foreign to me, I have nothing against them. But when I see ads in upscale publications for $2,000 wrist watches and homes that cost $12 million or more, I wonder when too much is way too much. However, it’s their money and they can do with it as they wish.

If there is a definition of an upscale magazine, Robb Report unquestionably fits the bill. The cover price is about $10, which is upscale as far as I am concerned. I read it when someone passes it on to me. I was reading the December 2004 issue that a friend passed along; someone else passed it on to him.

In this issue, under the aptly named feature, “Designs of the Times,” was a photo of a magnificent design, a British sports car, a 1956 Austin-Healey 100M Le Mans. I was enchanted.

Possessing this car for my very own has been a fantasy of mine for longer than I am willing to admit.

My modest comments about not craving great wealth notwithstanding, if I could be filthy rich, briefly, I would find the owner of the car in the photo. Hang the expense! I would make him an offer he couldn’t refuse. That blue-and-white image of loveliness gracing the pages of the Robb Report would be mine! Then I would return to being poor ... but happy!

In the same magazine was a lengthy feature titled “21 Ultimate Gifts.” These aren’t your run-of-the-mill gift certificates. The Robb Report sells the gifts to subscribers only; the magazine makes all the arrangements for such gifts as an $89 million English castle or a $100 million yacht and jet airplane.

Among the 21 ultimate gifts, I was intrigued by a four-day private golf tournament for 24 people at Pebble Beach.

I’m not a golfer, but I am aware that “exclusive” is a proper prefix for Pebble Beach.

Only one Robb reader can buy this gift. The purchaser may then select 23 companions to be flown with him to Monterey, Calif., from New York or Los Angeles. They will be housed in a Mediterranean-style resort estate. Of course, they will dine on only the finest cuisine at private dining rooms and clubs.

Between golf rounds, all will be pampered at spas.

Players receive a set of custom Callaway golf clubs. My golfing friends tell me these clubs aren’t cheap. I doubt the Pebble Beach leather windbreakers given to all 24 can be found at a factory outlet store.

A half day of golf lessons will be provided by a golf professional who was 2003 PGA Teacher of the Year. Some golfers might give up their life savings for that perk alone.

When the recipients play in their private tournament, they have exclusive use of famed golf courses Spy Glass Hill, Spanish Bay and Pebble Beach Golf Links. It’s a tournament; prizes should be awarded to winners, right? After one last round of spa treatments, the awards ceremony is held.

All 24 golfers are considered winners and receive prizes. The host and first place winner receive the 2005 Lexus SC Pebble Beach Edition; the rest receive the regular Lexus SC. The price the host pays for the total gift: $1.9 million.

Occasionally, we have glimpses of how the other half lives. This has been one of them.

Joe McAdoo is former chairman of the communication department at Drury University.

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